Lent - What are you doing this year?

Those who know me well know that I often avoid conversations about religion and know that my life and the choices I make should not be used as anyone’s moral compass. Despite these facts I am drawn to talk of both today. Brace yourself.
Today is Ash Wednesday. To be honest the first time I received ashes was in 2006 even though I have been a Catholic my whole life. My relationship with the church is one that I would categorizes as on again, off again my whole life so please do not think that I am getting on an “I am more devout” then you rant. Ash Wednesday marks the being of Lent and the preparation for Easter, and to be honest my face book news feed marks it as well.
This morning I was flooded with people sharing what they are giving up for Lent. The running list is looking a little like sweets, soda, caffeine, coffee, meat, fast food, extra flavor in my star bucks coffee….and on and on. So, when did Lent become a new diet trend? How much of a sacrifice is it really in these? I try not to judge and don’t claim to have not done similar things in years past, but come on!
I challenge everyone to think outside the box. Don’t simply give something up, but try to add. Give. Help. Inspire.
The past two years I have given during Lent. I have offered to watch friends’ kids to give them time away. Opened extra doors, let people get in line in front of me, prayed each night. Yes I know these are little things but they seem to embody the spirit of the season more than starting a diet.
This year the girls will have a Lent box where each day we will pull out a piece of paper with something for them to do – call a grandparent, color picture for a friend, give hugs… and for me this year I start a letter campaign to one person each day. Not sure who I will pick, or what I will write them but I will take time each day to touch someone else.
So, leave the diets for Jan 1st where they belong and think about giving in the spirit on the season this year.

Comments

  1. Silly PopMarch 16, 2013 at 4:25 AM

    We have really enjoyed our phone calls from the girls Silly Pop

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's Potty Time - Intro

A Tale of Two Potties It was the best of times, it was the worst of time...it is time to start potty training my girls.   I have to be honest, I LOVE DIAPERS! I love the freedom that diapers give you when you have a toddler. I can run errands all day, have a play date, or go on an outing and not have to worry about where the closest bathroom is (and how clean it is) or look for signs that my kids might be on the verge of an accident. I even love diaper butt in leggings. Now, you may wonder why a mommy who loves diapers so much and whose kids are not yet 2 ½ years old would take on potty training if there is no rush. The answer to this question is easy, mommy per pressure. It seems like every time I turn my head another one of the girls’ friends is making the transition to big kid underwear and I don’t want the girls to be left behind. Scratch that, I don’t want to be left behind as all of my mommy friends get their potty training merit badge. So, that brings us to our curr...
Read more

It's Potty Time - Starting the Day

Today is Potty Day Last night as the girls were going to sleep they were repeating the mantra I have been saying for days, “tomorrow we wear big girl panties… we poop and pee in the potty…we get sticker for our chart” and I was filled with hope. I then realized that they will also call for “Toddles” with Mickey Mouse not truly understanding what they are doing but just following along. In short, I am raising lemmings and followers. These issues will have to wait for another day though, because today is potty day. As the girls slept soundly last night not really understand what the morning would bring I was up most of the night thinking about it all. Gather all towels and old burp cloths, hide all dress up clothes, if we go outside what shoes are best, and so on and so on. To try to calm my mind I realized I need to have a goal in mind so that I could gage if the day was a success. I decided that the day is a success if we do not run out of clean dry underwear without doing laund...
Read more